Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Muffet McGraw reacts after cutting down part of the net after defeating the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Notre Dame won 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Aaron Doster, Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale, left, is congratulated by teammate Jackie Young after sinking a 3-point basket to defeat Mississippi State 61-58 in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) Tony Dejak, AP

Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale holds the trophy after defeating Mississippi State in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame won 61-58. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Darron Cummings, AP

Members of Notre Dame celebrate with the trophy after defeating Mississippi State in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame won 61-58. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) Tony Dejak, AP

Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates with teammates after making the game winning basket against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the fourth quarter in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Aaron Doster, Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates with teammates after making the game winning basket against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the fourth quarter in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Aaron Doster, Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame's Marina Mabrey celebrates during the second half against Mississippi State in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Ron Schwane, AP

Mississippi State's Victoria Vivians (35) shoots over Notre Dame's Kristina Nelson (21) during the first half in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Ron Schwane, AP

Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts during the second half against Mississippi State in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Ron Schwane, AP

Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Jackie Young (5) brings the ball up court against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the first half in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Aaron Doster, Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Muffet McGraw looks on during the second quarter in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Joseph Maiorana, Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs mascot performs during the second quarter in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Joseph Maiorana, Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs forward Chloe Bibby (55) waits to enter the game during the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Joseph Maiorana, Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 1, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform during the third quarter against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Joseph Maiorana, Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach Muffet McGraw reacts after cutting down part of the net after defeating the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs in the championship game of the women's Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Notre Dame won 61-58.(Photo: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

SOUTH BEND — It took 17 years to the day after Notre Dame won its first NCAA national championship to win its second, but there’s a legitimate chance the program won’t have to wait as long for No. 3

That’s because next season could be even better than this one.

Notre Dame returns four of five starters next season, plus two of the four players who would have played a significant role had they not suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. With the experience of overcoming adversity, playing with a small roster and still winning a national championship, could the Fighting Irish be in store for a repeat?

“I definitely think they have a chance,” coach Muffet McGraw said.

Notre Dame has earned seven consecutive NCAA tournament No. 1 seeds, reached eight Final Fours and played in six finals. But it has just two titles. Standing in the locker room in a brand new black dress she bought earlier in the season for this specific occasion, and her hair damp from the water bath courtesy of her players, McGraw said the victory was for “all the players in between” who came so close but never won it all.

“We were getting tired of being the bridesmaid,” McGraw said. “This was great for this team, what they’ve been through, what they’ve gone through. I just love them.”

McGraw’s favorite word to describe this team was “resilient,” because that’s what they were. They overcame injuries — aside from so many busted knees, there was also a broken nose, a black eye and a few twisted ankles. They also learned how to fight back and work together -- there were times this season the group rallied from behind to win. It taught the Irish they were never out of the game no matter the deficit.

Over the last few weeks, McGraw iterated that the turning point this season came in mid-January when Notre Dame overcame a 23-point deficit against Tennessee to win by 14. That was proof her depleted roster was amenable to being retooled and wanted to win. The Irish went onto earn their seventh consecutive No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, make it to the Final Four, beat undefeated UConn in overtime, and then come back from a 15-point deficit to win the title.

Now McGraw has the luxury of so many players returning. Notre Dame will have a strong senior class in 2018-19 comprised of Ogunbowale (the big shot maker), Marina Mabrey (her 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining in the title game put Notre Dame within two) and leading rebounder Jessica Shepard (after the game, McGraw asked, “Where would we be without her?”). Plus, Turner will be back and can provide an inside presence, allowing Shepard to roam free and be a shooting threat.

Jackie Young (who scored 32 points against UConn) is only a sophomore and Mikayla Vaughn (torn ACL) returns to the rotation.

Not to mention McGraw has the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class, per espnW HoopzGurlz. The Irish signed guards Katlyn Gilbert of Heritage Christian, Abby Prohaska and Jordan Nixon, plus post player Danielle Cosgrove. McGraw said she believes the incoming freshmen are talented enough to help right away.

“There’s no guarantees,” McGraw said as it pertains to defending their title next season. “We’re getting some good players. We’re returning some good players. The ball bounces in a funny way sometimes. You have to take advantage of your opportunities. That’s why I’m thankful we were able to finish this one.”